SICEEP development an opportunity to showcase diverse business event options

Business Events Sydney (BESydney) welcomes the New South Wales Premier’s announcement today of the tender for the Sydney International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct (SICEEP) and is ramping up efforts to profile other venue options during the three-year build.

The tender confirms the functional brief and development timelines for the new precinct, which will see the existing Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre close in late 2013 and new facilities open in late 2016.

“Premier O’Farrell’s announcement today clearly demonstrates the NSW Government’s commitment to essential improvements to Sydney’s convention, exhibition and entertainment facilities and their understanding of the valuable legacies – both economic and social – that business events deliver to NSW,” comments Lyn Lewis-Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Business Events Sydney.

“The closure of the existing Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre is an end to a stellar 25-year innings for these facilities, but the decision gives the industry welcome certainty about timelines and the Government’s intention to fast track the project.

“BESydney and the wider industry have been long-term advocates of the need to create a cutting-edge and world-class International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct to ensure that Sydney’s business event industry remains globally competitive well into the future. SICEEP will cement our status as Australia’s number one destination for conferences, conventions, exhibitions, incentives and corporate meetings,” adds Lewis-Smith

Commenting on the development period, Lewis-Smith says “BESydney will continue to work closely with clients and industry to ensure that it is well-known that Sydney is open for business.”

“Change presents great opportunity. It’s time to really show how Sydney businesses collaborate and innovate and how we can accommodate a growing business event sector with agility and enthusiasm. Sydney has a diversity of venue options that can be used as standalone venues, or as part of a combined solution for large events.

“When you look back at the 93rd Lions Clubs International Convention in 2010, the 2010 Forbes Global CEO Conference, 2008 World Youth Day, the 2000 Sydney Olympics Games you’ll see it was not just one or two venues in the harbour city that made these events spectacular, but a raft of venues and a ‘whole-of-city’ approach. This is what makes the Sydney event experience like no other.”

For further information on the Sydney International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct development, visit www.siceep.com